Package For Consumer Care Products

ABSTRACT

A movable elevator platform for use in a dispensing package is provided, the movable elevator platform having a coupling sleeve capable of engaging a screw assembly and a rim surrounding the coupling sleeve, said rim being non-removably attached to the coupling sleeve and including a flange. The movable elevator platform has a vertical contact surface area and a horizontal contact surface area. About 20% to about 90% of the horizontal contact surface area is located on the flange, and the flange has a width that does not exceed about 8.5 mm.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to packages for consumer care products andmethods of manufacturing the same. The packages are particularly suitedfor antiperspirant and/or deodorant products, but can equally beemployed for other types of consumer care products.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, consumer care products such as antiperspirants and/ordeodorant products are packaged in an oval or round plastic barrelcomponent. The top of the barrel is open to allow the product to beexposed and dispensed for use, while the opposite, i.e. bottom, end ofthe barrel contains a mechanism (e.g., a product support elevatorcoupled with a hand-rotatable screw) to assist in the dispensing of theproduct.

Antiperspirant and deodorant compositions are offered by manufacturersin a variety of sizes and product forms such as liquids, creams, gels,semi-solids, and solid sticks. These products have differentingredients, active levels, solvents, viscosities, shapes, sizes, andfill volumes to address a variety of consumer preferences and needs. Inthis regard, manufacturers desire a more efficient way of producingthese numerous product offerings, especially under a single brand.

Currently, manufacturers may use different size barrels to accommodatedifferent fill volumes. Alternatively, manufacturers may accommodatedifferent fill volumes by changing the spindle and/or the elevatordesigns. A change in one molded component of the packaging requiresadaptations of the other components. Each packaging design must beadapted to avoid manufacturing, shipping, storage, and dispensingproblems that are associated with these different product offerings. Forexample, different fill volumes for compositions may exhibit differentstability profiles, may apply different internal pressures on thepackage, may require air-tight seals, may cause different degrees ofsolvent syneresis or weeping, and may require different package designsfor ease of and consistent dosing of the composition.

In addition, manufactures have historically used a large number ofinjection molding parts to make different packaging components for thevarious product offerings. As a result, sometimes as many as 50-75 ormore different molds must be developed, used, and maintained in theinjection molding process. Thus, multiple product offerings to consumerspresent a major challenge to manufacturers.

Thus, a need exists for interchangeable package components toaccommodate different fill volumes within a single package and/orproduct chamber configuration. The use of the same mold parts tomanufacture packages that accommodate different fill volumes reducesmanufacturing cost and complexity since fewer injection molds areneeded. Also, manufacturing may be consolidated to fewer manufacturinglines. These advantages are provided while still providing a dispensingpackaging demonstrating adequate strength, flexibility, aestheticappearance, stability, and dispensing consistency for a variety ofproduct offerings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to consumer care products and/orpackages. In accordance with one of the embodiments, a package forconsumer care products and methods of manufacturing the same areprovided. The packages are particularly suited for antiperspirant and/ordeodorant products, but can equally be employed for other types ofconsumer care products.

In one embodiment, a movable elevator platform for use in a dispensingpackage includes a coupling sleeve capable of engaging a screw assemblyand a rim surrounding the coupling sleeve. The rim is non-removablyattached to the coupling sleeve and includes a flange. The movableelevator platform has a vertical contact surface area and a horizontalcontact surface area. About 20% to about 90% of the horizontal contactsurface area is located on the flange. The flange has a width that doesnot exceed about 8.5 mm.

In another embodiment, a movable elevator platform for use in adispensing package includes a coupling sleeve capable of engaging ascrew assembly and a rim surrounding the coupling sleeve. The rim isnon-removably attached to the coupling sleeve and includes a flange. Themovable elevator platform has a vertical contact surface area and ahorizontal contact surface area. The flange has a width that does notexceed 8.5 mm. The ratio of the vertical contact surface area to thehorizontal contact surface area is from 1:10 to 10:1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly pointout and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the presentinvention will be better understood from the following description ofembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an illustrative consumer care product anddispensing package according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative dispensingpackage for consumer care product, illustrating some of the individualcomponents and having a form suitable for bottom filling according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional front view taken along a major axis of anillustrative dispensing packaging with a movable elevator platform at afirst fill volume position according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional front view taken along a major axis of anillustrative dispensing packaging with a movable elevator platform at asecond fill volume position according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 5 is an example of a front view of an illustrative movable elevatorplatform according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the movable elevator platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the movable elevator platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective, bottom view of the movable elevator platform ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the movable elevator platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, bottom view of the movable elevator platformof FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the front view of the movableelevator platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12A is a perspective, bottom view of the movable elevator platformof FIG. 5 and illustrating a plane for the horizontal cross sectionaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12B is a perspective, bottom view of the movable elevator platformof FIG. 5 after horizontal cross sectional cut according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12C is a perspective, bottom view of the movable elevator platformof FIG. 5 filled with a composition according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 13A is a perspective, top view of a prior art elevator;

FIG. 13B is a perspective, bottom view the elevator of FIG. 13A; and

FIG. 13C is a perspective, bottom view of the elevator of FIG. 13A aftera horizontal cross sectional cut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with the claims particularly pointingout and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that thepresent invention will be better understood from the followingdescription.

As used herein, “consumer care product”, which may also be referred toas the “product”, refers to any consumer care product, including, butnot limited to, beauty care products, household care products, healthcare products, pet care products, and the like.

“Antiperspirants”, as used herein, includes antiperspirants, deodorants,deodorant/antiperspirants and body sprays, and may also be considered asbeauty care products.

The term “translucent”, as used herein may include “frosted”,“glittered”, “pearlescence” and the like and is defined herein as thepractice of inducing a low level of light scattering into an otherwise“clear” material causing the material to become matted in appearance.

As used herein, “substantially opaque” refers to the ability tosufficiently block the transmission of light so that bodies lying behindare not easily perceivable. Substantially opaque includes “tinted” andis defined herein as the practice of adding a low level of pigment ordye into a material for the purpose of imparting a color into thematerial.

As used herein, “identifier” relates to a means for communicatingbetween the consumer and the consumer care product such that theconsumer may readily identify the consumer care product and itsassociated traits, including, but not limited to product form, productperformance, scents and the like. Identifiers of the present inventionmay include, but are not limited to, pressure sensitive labels; shrinkwrap labels; indicia; colors or other visually detectable or discernableaspects (e.g., “sparkles” or “glitter” via incorporation of interferencepigments) that are part of the material from which the packagingcomponents are made or that is subsequently added to the manufacturedcomponents; defined relief, indentation, windows and/or gaps formed inthe components during or after their manufacture; cast designs,including but not limited to novelty casting to identify characters,paraphernalia, animals, and the like; particular shapes or other meansof decoration and/or information sharing used to identify anddistinguish the product. The identifiers may be formed concurrently withthe manufacture of the components with which they are associated, may beintroduced during the manufacture of the components, and/or may beformed or applied to the components after the components aremanufactured. The identifiers of the present invention may be the sameor different from one another.

As used herein, “novelty cast” may include, but is not limited to,casts/shapes that replicate cars, sport balls, animals or peoplefigures, characters, logos, sport paraphernalia (e.g., helmets, bats,jerseys, shoes and the like), fashion accessories and the like.

By “brand sub line” it is meant a line of products that are targeted toa particular consumer sub-group, provides a real or perceiveddistinctive benefit, and/or manifests a real or perceived distinctiveattribute. By way of example, a consumer care product may be anantiperspirant/deodorant product with the sub lines including, asensitive skin line, a botanical line, a high performance/high efficacyline, and a no fragrance line. Another example of sub lines may includea “treatment” line that comprises treatments to address extreme personalcare conditions (e.g., malodor, excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis),excessive dandruff, excessive dryness, or oiliness), a “highperformance” line that targets superior performance as compared to otheroffered products, an “essentials” line that provides value-added,trusted or reliable performance, and an “expressives” line that providessensorial experiences with reliable performance. There may be a singleproduct form or multiple product forms within a given sub line. Forexample, antiperspirant and deodorant products can come in a variety offorms, including solids, soft solids, gels, and roll-ons. Various sublines may include the same or different product forms and may includethe same number or a different number of product forms. The consumercare product may include a single source identifier (e.g. single brandname) for the multiple sub lines.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of a dispensing package100 of a consumer care product as fully assembled. The dispensingpackage 100 comprises an outer cap 300, an outer jacket 200, a sourceidentifier 192, and an identifier 191.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1 of a dispensing package100 for a consumer care product shown and described herein, illustratingsome of the individual components. FIG. 2 shows generally one embodimentwhere the dispensing package 100 may comprise at least one productchamber 110 and an outer jacket 200 for dispensing a consumer carecomposition. The dispensing package 100 further comprises an outer cap300, optionally a seal component 310, a movable elevator platform 320,and a screw assembly 330.

As shown in FIG. 2 an illustrative dispensing package 100 has a productchamber 110 that at least partially surrounds and supports a consumercare composition, and an outer surface 130, an upper dispensing end 140,a lower end 150, top opening 160 that allows the consumer carecomposition to move up and outward, and a top ridged opening 161.

The consumer care composition may be in the form of a solid, semi-solid,liquid, gel, mousse or the like. Held within the surrounding walls,particularly an inner surface (not shown) of the product chamber 110,the composition may be dispensed from the top opening 160 of the productchamber 110 and from the top ridged opening 161, both located at theupper dispensing end 140 of the product chamber 110.

The sidewall of the product chamber 110 may terminate in an upperdispensing end 140. With respect to the product chamber 110 and outersurface 130, the distance from the upper dispensing end 140 to the lowerend 150 of the sidewall may optionally vary, moving around thecircumference of such component (not shown), giving rise to an upper endor top opening that is higher in some spots than others, for example,the product chamber 110 may be higher along the sides of the dispenserthan at the back or front of the dispensing package 100. This allows forflexibility in body design and can allow the upper dispensing end of theproduct chamber 110 to be configured such that, toward the end of thedispenser life, it is less likely to come into contact with the surfaceto which the product is applied. Optionally, the upper dispensing end ofthe product chamber 110 may be beveled or chamfered.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional front views taken along the major axisof one embodiment of the dispensing packaging. FIG. 3 shows the movableelevator platform 320 at a first fill volume position 560. FIG. 4 showsthe movable elevator platform 320 at a second fill volume position 570.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a movable elevator platform 320 comprises acoupling sleeve 325 having a non-threaded section 530 and a threadedsection 540 along an inner surface 550 of the coupling sleeve 325. Thedispensing packaging further comprises a screw assembly 330 comprising aspindle 332 that supports threads 333, a seal 334 extending around thecircumference of the spindle 332, a threaded first portion 335 coupledto the threaded section 540 along the inner surface of the couplingsleeve 325 of the movable elevator platform 320. The screw assembly 330further comprises a non-threaded second portion 336. In this embodiment,the seal 334 frictionally engages with the non-threaded section 530 ofthe coupling sleeve 325, providing a seal that otherwise is maintainedduring the advancement of the movable elevator platform 320 along anaxis from a first fill volume position 560 to a second fill volumeposition 570. In one embodiment the seal 334 that frictionally engageswith the non-threaded section 530 of the coupling sleeve 325 provides aseal that substantially prevents air and/or liquid from passing betweenthe seal 334 and the non-threaded section 530 of the coupling sleeve325. In another embodiment, the frictional engagement of the seal 334(or the seal 334) is maintained for a distance corresponding to thedistance that the movable elevator platform 320 moves along an axis froma first fill volume position 560 to a second fill volume position 570,the distance being from about 0.1 inch to about 1.0 inch, and/or fromabout 0.2 inch to about 0.6 inch.

Also as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the non-threaded section 530 of themovable elevator platform 320 is at the lower end of the inner surface550 of the coupling sleeve 325 and the threaded section 540 is at theupper end of the inner surface 550 of the coupling sleeve 325. Themovable elevator platform 320 further comprises a rim 400 that is infrictional contact with the inner surface 120 of the product chamber 110along the product chamber major axis 180 and minor axis 190. In anembodiment, the seal 334 extends beyond the outer surface 361 of thespindle 332. The seal 334 may have a first diameter and the innersurface 550 of the non-threaded section 530 of the coupling sleeve 325has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than thesecond diameter.

In some embodiments, the seal 334 may comprise a continuous bead aroundthe circumference of the outer surface of the spindle 332, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively, the seal 334 may be a thread that isdimensioned to frictionally engage with the inner surface 550 of thenon-threaded section 530 of the coupling sleeve 325, thereby providing aseal and allowing the movable elevator platform 320 to advance along anaxis from a first fill volume position 560 to a second fill volumeposition 570.

In some embodiments the dispensing packaging 100 further comprises aratchet platform 380 where the non-threaded second portion 336 of thespindle 332 extends from the ratchet platform 380 to the seal 334 for adistance of about 5 mm to about 45 mm or from about 8 mm to about 35 mmor from about 10 mm to about 30 mm.

The spindle 332 may be separately molded and attached to the screw baseor the spindle 332 may be molded integrally with the screw base.

In one embodiment, the fill volume provides a composition volume of fromabout 5 ml to about 200 ml and/or from about 25 ml to about 150 mland/or from about 40 ml to about 100 ml and/or from about 50 ml to about80 ml. In one embodiment, the second fill volume position 570 is about1% to about 30% greater and/or about 5% to about 25% greater, and/orabout 10% to about 20% greater, than the first fill volume position 560of the same size package. In one embodiment, the first fill volumeposition 560 provides a composition volume from about 15 ml to about 60ml, or from about 25 ml to about 50 and the second fill volume position570 provides a composition volume from about 70 ml to about 200 ml orfrom about 75 ml to about 100 ml.

The size of the package depends, in part, upon the composition to bedispensed, the dose at which it is applied, the dispenser's intendedlife, and the intended use (e.g., value size, samples, travel size, andthe like). The volume of the product chamber 110 will typically belarger than the volume of consumer care composition to accommodatecomponent features and production requirements.

In one embodiment, the consumer care product is a top fill product, e.g.wherein the composition is filled into the product chamber 110 from thetop of the package, comprising an antiperspirant or deodorantcomposition.

In addition, minimizing the amount of plastic used in the dispensingpackage 100 is also advantageous in terms of cost. However, thin plasticwalls are difficult to make in the injection molding processes. In orderto house compositions with different rheologies, in the same or similarpackaging, manufacturers using interchangeable molds must make sure thatthe package has enough strength to work for all product sizes, shapes,and composition rheologies. For example, more torque is usually requiredto move a solid deodorant composition through the dispensing opening ofthe package compared to liquid compositions. For liquid compositions,more frictional engagement may be needed to ensure that the liquidcomposition does not leak around the circumference of the platformand/or the screw assembly 330. Thus, it may be necessary to provide thepackaging with more frictional contact between the outside surface ofthe movable elevator platform 320 and the inner surface of the productchamber 110. This may result in more force placed on the walls of theproduct chamber 110 and consequently the outer jacket 200.

In certain embodiments, the product chamber 110 can be molded of a morerigid, more expensive plastic to hold the consumer care composition withadequate strength while the outer jacket 200 may be molded of a lessexpensive material. The opposite may also be employed. Also, the same orsimilar materials of equal thickness may be utilized for both theproduct chamber 110 and the outer jacket 200 of the dispensing package100. Product sold under the same branding may be manufactured where theouter jacket 200 varies as to size, color, shape, etc. to identify thecomposition while the product chamber 110 is kept constant regardless ofthe product features. Likewise, the design of the outer jacket 200 couldbe kept constant, while the outer surface 130 of the product chamber 110may vary in terms of color, surface features, etc.

In some embodiments, the dispensing package 100 is made of lessmaterial, with adequate versatility and strength, whereby the productchamber 110 is in frictional contact with the inside surface of theouter jacket 200, where the product chamber 110 may remain constant asthe shape, color, size, etc. of outer jacket 200 is varied.

In some embodiments, the design of the movable elevator platforms 320described herein may reduce the amount of plastic required, as comparedto conventional movable elevator platforms. The movable elevatorplatforms 320 described herein also reduce the amount of unusablecomposition required within the dispensing package 100, as compared toconventional elevator platforms. Often because of the inherent design ofthe movable elevator platforms, the manufacturers of such dispensingpackages will have to overfill the dispensing package. The overfilledamount may be unusable to the user of the dispensing package 100, as itis required to bind the composition to the movable elevator platform sothat the composition may be capable of being moved within the dispensingpackage.

In some embodiments, the movable elevator platforms 320 described hereinalso allow for the dispensing package 100 to be bottom-filled.Bottom-filling is a well-known method of manufacturing antiperspirantsand is typically characterized by filling a dispensing package 100 witha composition in its molten state from the bottom of the dispensingpackage 100 and allowing the composition to cool. It is not uncommon tobottom-fill a dispensing package 100 while the movable elevator platform320 and screw assembly 330 are present within the dispensing package100. When the dispensing package 100 is bottom-filled while the movableelevator platform 320 and screw assembly 330 are present, the design ofthe movable elevator platform 320 should be one that does notsignificantly restrict the flow of the composition through the movableelevator platform 320. If too much flow is restricted because of thedesign of the movable elevator platform 320, then the dispensing package100 may not be suitable for bottom-filling. Suitable movable elevatorplatforms for use in bottom-filled dispensing packages typically have anumber of apertures to permit the flow of the composition through themovable elevator platform 320 while the composition is in a moltenstate. If the movable elevator does not have enough apertures and/or toomany components that restrict flow, the movable elevator platform 320may be unsuitable for use in a bottom-filled dispensing package 100 ormay retard the filling of each dispensing package 100, resulting ininefficiencies during the manufacturing process.

The movable elevator platforms described herein have a horizontalcontact surface area on the bottom face located on plane X and avertical contact surface area located on plane Y (as illustrated in FIG.5). The vertical and horizontal contact surface areas are determined asfollows. A three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) softwareprogram, such as, for example, SolidWorks® (Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKSCorp., Waltham, Mass.), may be used to calculate the vertical andhorizontal contact surface areas. First, a horizontal cross section 580is made at the highest point of the shortest partition inside the rim(as shown in FIGS. 12A & 12B), which typically represents the lowestfill point of the composition within the elevator (as shown in FIG.12C). All horizontal areas such as those located on a flange and apartition that are below the horizontal cross section 580 (as shown inFIG. 12B) and inside the rim of the elevator when viewed from the bottomof the elevator are counted. All horizontal areas visible from the topview are not included in the calculation. The vertical contact surfacearea includes any vertical partition area, vertical flange area,vertical tab area, and any other vertical area which is below thehorizontal cross section 580, including the inside and outside of therim. However, the vertical area located within the port 520 for a screwis not included in the vertical contact surface area, while the verticalarea of the perimeter of the exterior wall 600 of the port 520 for ascrew is included.

The ratio of the vertical contact surface area (VCSA) to the horizontalcontact surface area (HCSA) may be from about 1:10 to about 10:1,alternatively from about 1:5 to about 8:1, or alternatively from about1:2 to about 7:1. In some embodiments, the VSCA to HCSA ratio may beabout 6:1. As a non-limiting example, the vertical contact surface areamay be about 20.53 cm² and the horizontal surface area is about 3.51cm². The movable elevator platforms 320 described herein may have about20% to about 90%, or alternatively from about 45% to about 70%, of thehorizontal contact surface area located on the flange. In some examples,about 50% to about 60% of the HCSA is located on the flange. In someexamples, less than about 58% of the HCSA is located on the flange.

The movable elevator platforms 320 described herein may also include oneor more partitions. In some embodiments, about 10% to about 60% of theHCSA is located on the one or more partitions. In some embodiments,about 20% to 40%, or alternatively from about 25% to about 35%, of thehorizontal contact surface area is located on the one or morepartitions. In some embodiments, greater than about 26% of thehorizontal contact surface area is located on the partitions.

The movable elevator platforms 320 described herein preferentiallylocate a significant percentage of the contact surface area to thehorizontal contact surfaces in part by locating a significant portion ofthe contact surface to the outer portions of the movable elevatorplatforms 320 while still having a flange 470 and other components thatdo not significantly impact the flow of the compositions duringbottom-filling. Such a design reduces the amount of VSCA required toadhere to and move the composition within the dispensing package 100. Inthis regard, reducing the amount of vertical contact surface arearequired may also reduce the amount of overfill required. Thus, themovable elevator platforms 320 described herein may decrease the amountof overfilling necessary and the amount of plastic required tomanufacture the movable elevator platform 320, while allowing thedispensing package to be bottom-filled through the movable elevatorplatform 320.

The movable elevator platforms 320 described herein include a rim, acoupling sleeve, and partitions that form apertures. The movableelevator platforms 320 described herein also have a top face and abottom face. The top face in some examples may be flat, concave, orconvex. In some examples, the movable elevator platform 320 may have aflange 470 located on or about the rim.

As shown in FIG. 5, the movable elevator platform 320 may include a rim400, a coupling sleeve 325 attached to the rim 400, and one or morepartitions 410 that are attached to the rim 400 and form apertures 420.In some embodiments, the coupling sleeve 325 may be attached to the rim400 via one or more partitions 410, and in some cases, may be furthersupported using one or more tapered partitions 440. The movable elevatorplatform 320 may have a top face 450 and a bottom face 460. In someembodiments, the top face 450 may be concave, convex, or flat. In someembodiments, the rim 400 may include a flange 470 located on or aboutthe top end 480 of the rim 400.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling sleeve 325 may include a port 520 forengaging the screw assembly 330. Also as shown in FIG. 6, the taperedpartitions 440 may be located on opposites sides of the coupling sleeve325. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable elevator platform 320 may includenumerous partitions 410 that altogether form numerous apertures 420. Insome embodiments, the movable elevator platform 320 includes more than 4apertures, and in some embodiments, has at least 12 apertures. In someembodiments, the movable elevator platform 320 may include a tab 495 forremoving the movable elevator platform 320 from the mold duringmanufacture.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flange 470 of the movable elevator platform 320may have a width D1 from the proximal end 474 of the flange 470 to thedistal end 476 of the flange 470, when viewed from the bottom view asshown, of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, alternatively from about 1.5 mm toabout 4 mm, or alternatively from about 1.8 mm to about 3.6 mm. Thewidth of D1 may vary around the flange 470 when the flange 470 istapered. In some examples, when the width of D1 varies around themovable elevator platform 320 so as to be a tapered flange 470, thewidth of D1, while varying, never exceeds about 8.5 mm, about 8 mm,about 7 mm, about 6 mm, about 5 mm, about 4 mm, or even about 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the partition 410 may have a width D2 from theproximal end 414 of the partition 410 to the distal end 416 of thepartition 410. In some embodiments, all of the partitions 410 have asimilar or the same D2. In some embodiments, D2 is about 0.69 mm. Insome examples, the length of D2 varies among the partitions 410. In someembodiments, the width D1 (at any point around the flange 470) isgreater than the width of D2 (at any one point along the partition) forat least one partition. In some embodiments, D1 is greater than D2 formore than one partition. In some embodiments, at least one D2 is about0.69 mm, alternatively less than about 1 mm, alternatively less thanabout 2 mm, or alternatively less than about 5 mm. In some embodiments,none of the partitions have a D2 that exceeds about 5 mm, about 2 mm, orabout 1.2 mm. In some embodiments, the ratio of D1 to D2 is always atleast greater than about 2, in some embodiments, even greater than about3, and in some embodiments, greater than about 5, even though the widthof D1 may vary around the flange 470 and the width of D2 may also vary.

As shown in FIG. 9, the flange 470 may overhang from the rim 400 whenviewed from the bottom of the movable elevator platform 320. In someembodiments, the coupling sleeve 325 has a width of D3 as measured atthe bottom face 460 of the movable elevator platform 320 from the outermost ends, as illustrated in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the rim 400may have a height of D4 as measured from the junction 485 (of the flange470 and the rim 400) to the bottom end 490 of the rim 400. In someembodiments, the partition 410 may include a top end 500 and bottom end510 and may have a height of D5 as measured from the top end 500 to thebottom end 510. In some embodiments, the height D5 is always greaterthan the height D4. In some embodiments, D5 is more than about 10%greater than D4, alternatively about 20% greater than D4, oralternatively about 30% greater than D4. In some embodiments, D4 isabout 3.53 mm and D5 is about 5.18 mm. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10,the line formed to calculate the width of D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 alwayshas an angle A1 that is 90 degrees with respect to the midpoint of theline and the start and end of the line.

As shown in FIG. 11, the coupling sleeve 325 may include a non-threadedsection 530 located in closer proximity to the top face 450 and athreaded section 540 for engaging the screw assembly 330 located at theentrance of the port 520 (FIG. 10).

As illustrated in Table A below, the movable elevator platform 320 is asignificant improvement over the prior art elevator 620 shown in FIGS.13A-13C, as the movable elevator platform 320 is still capable of beingbottom filled. While the prior art elevator 620 contains a flange, theflange's dimensions may impact the bottom-filling process such that theelevator is incapable of being bottom-filled. In this regard, the priorart elevator 620 has a D1 that is too long in certain areas of theflange which may impede the fill of the composition through theelevator. In contrast, the movable elevator 320, while having arelatively low VCSA: HSCA ratio, is capable of being bottom filled.

TABLE A Movable Elevator Prior Art Platform 320 Elevator 620 HorizontalArea of Flange 1.78 cm² 2.66 cm² Longest D1 of Flange  3.0 mm 8.99 mmVertical Contact Surface Area 20.53 cm²  16.12 cm²  (VCSA) HorizontalContact Surface Area 3.51 cm² 4.52 cm² (HCSA) VCSA:HSCA Ratio 5.85:13.56:1 % of HCSA Located on Flange 50.7  58.8  % of HCSA Located onPartitions 26.15 16.72 % of HCSA Located on Bottom End 21.36 24.49 ofRim % of HCSA Located on Tab  1.79 NA Bottom-Fill Capable Yes No

Illustrative Packaging Materials and Manufacturing

A variety of thermoplastic materials or rigid and semi-rigid materialscan be used for the product chamber, outer jacket, and other componentsof the package described herein, such as, for example, the movableelevator platform 320 (FIG. 5). For example, rigid and semi-rigidmaterials may include, but are not limited to, metals, including, butnot limited to, aluminum, magnesium alloy, steel; glass, including, butnot limited to, laminates; and polymeric materials such as polypropylene(PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene-terepthalate(PET), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyethylene-terepthalatecopolymers, polycarbonate (PC), polyamides,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), thermoplastic elastomers,polyoxymethylene copolymer and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the molten thermoplastic material has a viscosity, asdefined by the melt flow index (MFI) of about 0.1 g/10 min to about 500g/10 min, as measured by ASTM D1238 performed at temperature of about23° C. with about a 2.16 kg weight. For example, for polypropylene, themelt flow index can be in a range of about 0.5 g/10 min to about 200g/10 min. Other suitable melt flow indexes include about 1 g/10 min toabout 400 g/10 min, about 10 g/10 min to about 300 g/10 min, about 20 toabout 200 g/10 min, about 30 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min, and about50 g/10 min to about 75 g/10 min. The MFI of the material is selectedbased on the application and use of the molded package. For example,thermoplastic materials with an MFI of about 5 g/10 min to about 50 g/10min may be suitable for use as caps and closures for dispensingpackaging.

In one embodiment, the thermoplastic material can be, for example, apolyolefin. Illustrative polyolefins include, but are not limited to,polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethylpentene, and polybutene-1. Any ofthe aforementioned polyolefins could be sourced from bio-basedfeedstocks, such as sugarcane or other agricultural products, to producea bio-polypropylene or bio-polyethylene.

Polyolefins advantageously demonstrate shear thinning when in a moltenstate. Shear thinning is a reduction in viscosity when the fluid isplaced under compressive stress. Shear thinning can beneficially allowfor the flow of the thermoplastic material to be maintained throughoutthe injection molding process. Without intending to be bound by theory,it is believed that the shear thinning properties of a thermoplasticmaterial, and in particular polyolefins, results in less variation ofthe materials viscosity when the material is processed at lowerpressures.

Other suitable thermoplastic materials include renewable polymers suchas, for example, polymers produced directly from organisms, such aspolyhydroxyalkanoates (e.g., poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate),poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate, NODAX®, and bacterialcellulose; polymers extracted from plants, agricultural and forest, andbiomass, such as polysaccharides and derivatives thereof (e.g., gums,cellulose, cellulose esters, chitin, chitosan, starch, chemicallymodified starch, and particles of cellulose acetate), proteins (e.g.,zein, whey, gluten, and collagen), lipids, lignins, and natural rubber;thermoplastic starch produced from starch or chemically modified starchand polymers derived from naturally sourced monomers and derivatives,such as bio-polyethylene, bio-polypropylene, polytrimethyleneterephthalate, polylactic acid, NYLON 11, alkyd resins, succinicacid-based polyesters, and bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

The suitable thermoplastic materials may include a blend or blends ofdifferent thermoplastic materials. For example, the blend may be acombination of materials derived from virgin bio-derived orpetroleum-derived materials, or recycled materials of bio-derived orpetroleum-derived materials. One or more of the thermoplastic materialsin a blend may be biodegradable. Thermoplastic materials may bebiodegradable.

The thermoplastic material can also be, for example, a polyester.Illustrative polyesters include, but are not limited to, polyethyleneterphthalate (PET). The PET polymer could be sourced from bio-basedfeedstocks, such as sugarcane or other agricultural products, to producea partially or fully bio-PET polymer. Other suitable thermoplasticmaterials include copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, andpolymers and copolymers of thermoplastic elastomers, polyester,polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene),poly(lactic acid), bio-based polyesters such as poly(ethylene furanate)polyhydroxyalkanoate, poly(ethylene furanoate), (considered to be analternative to, or drop-in replacement for, PET), polyhydroxyalkanoate,polyamides, polyacetals, ethylene-alpha olefin rubbers, andstyrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers. The thermoplastic materialcan also be a blend of multiple polymeric and non-polymeric materials.The thermoplastic material can be, for example, a blend of high, medium,and low molecular polymers yielding a multi-modal or bi-modal blend. Themulti-modal material can be designed in a way that results in athermoplastic material that has superior flow properties yet hassatisfactory chemo/physical properties. The thermoplastic material canalso be a blend of a polymer with one or more small molecule additives.The small molecule could be, for example, a siloxane or otherlubricating molecule that, when added to the thermoplastic material,improves the flowability of the polymeric material.

Polymeric materials may also include various fillers known to theskilled artisan, such as, for example, mica, interference pigments, woodflour; or materials that are capable of “blooming” to the surface of amolded component. Other additives may include inorganic fillers suchcalcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, talcs, clays (e.g., nanoclays),aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicate (CaSiO3), glass formed into fibersor microspheres, crystalline silicas (e.g., quartz, novacite,crystallobite), magnesium hydroxide, mica, sodium sulfate, lithopone,magnesium carbonate, iron oxide; organic fillers such as rice husks,straw, hemp fiber, wood flour; or wood, bamboo, or sugarcane fiber.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A movable elevator platform for use in adispensing package, the movable elevator platform comprising: a couplingsleeve capable of engaging a screw assembly; and a rim surrounding thecoupling sleeve, said rim being non-removably attached to the couplingsleeve and comprising a flange; wherein said movable elevator platformhas a vertical contact surface area and a horizontal contact surfacearea; wherein about 20% to about 90% of the horizontal contact surfacearea is located on the flange; wherein the flange has a width D1 thatdoes not exceed about 8.5 mm.
 2. The movable elevator platform of claim1, wherein about 45% to about 70% of the horizontal contact surface areais located on the flange.
 3. The movable elevator platform of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of partitions attached to the rim.
 4. Themovable elevator platform of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofpartitions comprise from about 10% to about 60% of the horizontalcontact surface area.
 5. The movable elevator platform of claim 3,wherein the plurality of partitions comprise from about 20% to about 40%of the horizontal contact surface area.
 6. The movable elevator platformof claim 1, further comprising a tab.
 7. The movable elevator platformof claim 1, further comprising a convex top face.
 8. The movableelevator platform of claim 1, wherein the coupling sleeve is coupled tothe rim by at least one tapered partition.
 9. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 1, further comprising more than four apertures. 10.The movable elevator platform of claim 1, wherein the flange is tapered.11. The movable elevator platform of claim 1, further comprising atleast one partition having a width D2, wherein the at least onepartition is attached to the rim, and wherein D1 is greater than thewidth D2.
 12. The movable elevator platform of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of partitions, each of the plurality ofpartitions having a width D2, wherein the plurality of partitions areattached to the rim, and wherein the width D1 is greater than the widthD2 of each of the plurality of partitions.
 13. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 12, wherein the rim has a height D4 and each of theplurality of partitions has a height D5, wherein the height D5 isgreater than or equal to the height D4.
 14. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 12, wherein the width D2 of each of the plurality ofpartitions is less than or equal to about 5 mm.
 15. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 12, wherein the width D2 of each of the plurality ofpartitions is less than or equal to about 2 mm.
 16. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 12, wherein the width D2 of each of the plurality ofpartitions is less than or equal to about 1.2 mm.
 17. The movableelevator platform of claim 1, wherein the coupling sleeve comprises anon-threaded section and a threaded section.
 18. A movable elevatorplatform for use in a dispensing package, the movable elevator platformcomprising: a coupling sleeve capable of engaging a screw assembly; anda rim surrounding the coupling sleeve, said rim being non-removablyattached to the coupling sleeve and comprising a flange; wherein saidmovable elevator platform has a vertical contact surface area and ahorizontal contact surface area; wherein the flange has a width D1 thatdoes not exceed about 8.5 mm; wherein the ratio of the vertical contactsurface area to the horizontal contact surface area is from about 1:10to about 10:1.
 19. The movable elevator platform of claim 18, whereinthe ratio of the vertical contact surface area to the horizontal contactsurface area is from about 1:5 to about 8:1.
 20. The movable elevatorplatform of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the vertical contact surfacearea to the horizontal contact surface area is from about 1:2 to about7:1.